As with all surgeries, breast augmentation has the risk of infection and bleeding. Although infection is rare it may result in removal of the breast implant. The body will not fight an infection if a foreign object is present. Since bacterial lies dormant in scar tissue for a long time, a second operation may provoke a reoccurring of infection. Most doctors will not put implants back into a patient who has suffered an infection for 6 months, giving the body plenty of time to heal.
Although bleeding is not common for breast augmentation cosmetic surgery, if it occurs it can be dramatic. Blood clots to the lungs are also a possibility.
There are also implant related complications. The worst is scarring. 15% of women develop scarring. Since the body doesn’t like foreign objects placed into it, it may see the implant as something that needs to be removed. Scarring will form around the implant, causing the implant to grow rock hard. Along with the hardened implants some women will have painful and deformed breasts. Generally the only solution is to remove the implant.
Some implants will develop wrinkles, usually in women with small breasts or droopy breasts. Saline implants can deflate over time. If you notice that your implant has deflated call your plastic surgeon immediately.
Gel implants can leak. This may go unnoticed for months or even years. Sometimes there is change in the breast to let you know, but more often than not there is nothing to tell you a leak is happening.
When it is discovered the gel implant should be removed immediately.
The single most important thing is, breast implants block mammograms. The mammogram cannot see through the implant. It is important for all women to have mammograms since breast cancer can be picked up 2 years in advance. A solution to this is having an MRI taken instead.